Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Forest and Conservation Worker
What forest and conservation workers actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Meet the crew and review the job hazard analysis. From there, the day usually includes plant seedlings, thin trees and clear brush, and remove invasive plants. Work is often seasonal, with some crews camping in the field for days at a time.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a forest and conservation worker working full time.
- Meet the crew and review the job hazard analysis.
- Hike to the work site with tools.
- Plant seedlings on a burned slope.
- Lunch on the trail.
- Cut brush along a fuel break.
- Repair a trail drainage structure.
- Hike out and clean tools.
Where forest and conservation workers work
Workers are outdoors in forests and parks, often in rugged terrain and remote areas, in all weather.
Hours and schedule
Work is often seasonal, with some crews camping in the field for days at a time.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Plant seedlings
- Thin trees and clear brush
- Remove invasive plants
- Build and maintain trails
- Control erosion
- Mark trees and boundaries
- Support fire prevention projects
Tools you’ll use every day
- Planting bars and hoedads
- Chainsaws and brush cutters
- Pulaskis and McLeods
- Hand tools
- GPS units
- Maps and compasses
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Work in nature
- Make a visible environmental impact
- Learn on the job
- Path to forestry and fire careers
What’s hard
- Physically demanding
- Seasonal work
- Remote and rugged locations
- Weather and insects
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love being outdoors
- I want to help the environment
- I like hard physical work
- I don’t mind camping and remote work
- I work well on a crew
- I want to start quickly
Not sure? Take the free Forest and Conservation Worker fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Wear chainsaw PPE and hard hats
- Keep safe spacing with tools
- Carry first aid and communication
- Watch for weather and fire conditions